09/06/2025
On June 2, 2025, a major milestone in reproductive health will be reached in St. Maarten, as Women’s Health Services (WHS), under the leadership of Dr. Randall Friday, introduces intrauterine insemination (IUI) services to the island and the region for the first time.
This marks a transformative development for individuals and couples facing fertility challenges, and it is being led by a man who has spent decades championing access to compassionate, modern, and patient-focused gynecological care.
Dr. Friday, Medical Director at WHS, has long been regarded as a trailblazer in women’s health in the region. His latest initiative reflects both his medical expertise and his deep understanding of the personal journeys of patients who have long had to seek fertility services abroad.
Dr. Friday emphasized that the introduction of IUI is about accessibility, dignity, and choice. He noted that there has been a growing need in the community for less invasive fertility options. Part of the IUI process will be executed in St. Maarten and part in Florida.
"We recognized a growing need in our community for accessible, less invasive fertility options. Until now, couples often had to travel abroad for treatment. Offering IUI locally empowers individuals and couples to pursue pregnancy without the added stress of travel or high international costs," Dr. Friday said.
𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬
This new offering is made possible through a long-standing partnership between WHS and the Palm Beach Fertility Center in Florida, a relationship that dates back to 2017. That year, the two institutions hosted an educational lecture in St. Maarten, sparking what would become a fruitful collaboration. Since then, hundreds of women from the island and the wider region have traveled to Palm Beach to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), with many now raising healthy children conceived through the partnership.
Palm Beach Fertility Center, led by the renowned reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Mark Denker, is internationally recognized for its state-of-the-art facilities and high ethical standards. Dr. Denker’s clinic has brought over 5,000 babies into the world through fertility treatments and is praised for its commitment to personalized and affordable care. The lab at Palm Beach is maintained as a highly controlled, contamination-free environment using advanced filtration systems and cutting-edge equipment, details that matter immensely when handling something as delicate as fertility.
𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐔𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬
IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a fertility treatment in which prepared s***m is inserted directly into a woman’s uterus during her fertile window. Unlike IVF, where fertilization happens in a laboratory, IUI supports fertilization inside the body and is considered a less invasive, more cost-effective alternative. IUI makes it easier for the s***m to reach an egg because it cuts down on the time and distance it has to travel. This increases a woman's chance of becoming pregnant.
Dr. Friday explained the typical process: it begins with ovulation tracking through ultrasounds and bloodwork. Fertility medication may be prescribed to stimulate egg production. When the follicles mature, a "trigger shot" is administered to induce ovulation. The s***m, carefully washed to isolate only the healthiest and most motile, is then inserted into the uterus using a thin catheter. A pregnancy test follows about two weeks later.
The key to IUI success lies in timing, preparation, and the quality of both the s***m and the egg. WHS will devote the time necessary to assess each patient thoroughly. Everything from hormone levels to uterine health is factored in.
Ideal candidates include couples with mild male factor infertility, women with ovulation issues, and those with unexplained infertility. IUI is also a valuable reproductive option for single women and same-sex female couples using donor s***m.
𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
At the heart of WHS’s approach is the belief that medicine must be both scientifically sound and emotionally supportive. The clinic offers counseling referrals, one-on-one coaching, and educational materials to help patients manage the emotional toll that can accompany fertility treatment—especially when cycles are unsuccessful.
Dr. Friday understands that this journey is often deeply personal and emotionally taxing. So WHS offers more than just clinical care. It offers community, compassion, and a safe, judgment-free space where patients feel seen and supported.
Cultural sensitivity is also an important consideration. In Caribbean societies, conversations around fertility can still carry stigma. Dr. Friday and his team are working to break down those barriers.
"We are committed to creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment. Education plays a key role in reducing stigma. Engaging with the community to raise awareness and normalize conversations around fertility. Every patient’s journey is private and is treated with respect and compassion."
In that context, education and empathy go hand in hand. Dr. Friday aims to normalize these conversations and remind people that needing fertility support is nothing to be ashamed of.
𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of WHS’s IUI program is its inclusivity. The service is open to all individuals and couples, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. This commitment to equality ensures that anyone hoping to build a family can access care tailored to their needs.
Dr. Friday clearly understands that for single women and same-sex couples, fertility treatment is often a path to realizing deeply held dreams. "IUI at Women's Health Services is available to all individuals and couples who wish to grow their families. IUI at Women’s Health Services NV(WHS) is available to all individuals and couples who wish to grow their families," he said.
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝
With the service officially launching on June 2, the team at WHS is preparing for a busy year ahead. Success will be measured not only in pregnancy rates and completed cycles but in the relationships built with patients and the trust earned through care.
“We’re not just counting outcomes,” Dr. Friday emphasized. “We’re building something meaningful. We will measure success not only by clinical outcomes, such as the number of cycles performed and pregnancy rates, but also by the trust, support, and sense of community we build with our patients. Ultimately, we hope to help as many people as possible experience the joy of pregnancy, close to home."
For those interested in learning more or beginning the IUI process, appointments can be made through the Women’s Health Services app or by calling +1-721-527-5617.
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘋𝘳. 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺 (𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵) 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘳. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 (𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴.
